MMI Welcomes Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, Jocelyn Idema, D.O.

On January 2, 2013 the Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute (MMI) welcomes their newest Orthopaedic surgeon, Jocelyn Idema, D.O. to the practice. Dr. Idema specializes in disorders and injuries of the spine; including the neck, thoracic and lumbar regions. She completed an Orthopaedic Spine Surgical Fellowship at the prestigious Spine Institute of Arizona in Scottsdale, Arizona where she received specialized training in minimally invasive techniques, microsurgery, and motion preservation of the spine.

Dr. Idema completed her medical school training and residency at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and is currently board eligible in Orthopaedic surgery. She brings an expert dimension to the community’s growing demand for minimally invasive spine surgery and standards of care in all realms of orthopaedic disorders. Dr. Idema specializes in the treatment of surgical and non-surgical disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. She also treats sports-related neck and back injuries, cervical and lumbar stenosis, spondylolisthesis, herniated discs, degenerative scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease of the neck and back.

When asked about her interest in orthopaedics over other types of medicine Dr. Idema commented, “I had been an NCAA Collegiate level All-American swimmer and therefore liked working with athletes, those with real drive to get back to their sport. I also liked that with Orthopaedics I could make an instant difference. It's broken, I can fix it. I don't have to wait days or months to see if a medication works.”

Dr. Idema chose to specialize in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery because she saw very few women in the field and felt there was a real need. She commented, “I liked that it is still a field without answers. We are still trying to find the best way to treat back pain and other such disorders. That is the reason I chose the Spine Institute of Arizona for my Fellowship. They practice cutting edge medicine but not fringe medicine. It's not always good to be the first one doing something but my mentors in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery practice based on years of proven research. That excites me.”

MMI president and orthopaedic spine surgeon, Mark Chilton, M.D., had the following to say about Dr. Idema, "Her addition to the Spine Center at MMI will bring new techniques not available to patients at Frederick Memorial Hospital. I think she is like me with respect to a conservative approach to spine care, but has newer tools at her disposal IF surgery is needed, particularly in the minimally invasive arena. She is well trained and I've personally spoken to her mentors who had nothing but praise for her abilities, not only in spine care but general orthopaedics and trauma care as well."

No stranger to the Frederick area, Dr. Idema went to undergraduate school at Gettysburg College and her entire family, including her husband’s family grew up around the area. When asked why she chose Frederick as the place to settle down and start her private practice she responded, “I love the history, the scenery and wanted my children to grow up in an area with a small town feel with close, big city opportunities and experiences. Frederick offers just that.”